The developers behind a cable car proposal for Hobart's Mount Wellington are being urged to go to the mountain's planning body for an amendment if they want the project to go ahead.

The concept for the cable car tourism venture was detailed earlier this month.

It has two possible routes and includes a cafe, restaurant and function centre at the summit.

Developer Adrian Bold has been seeking in-principle landowner consent from the Hobart City Council before pursuing the project further.

The council says it can only approve, or reject, the project on the basis of an application, but it has not yet received one.

Lord Mayor Damon Thomas says the council does not give in-principle support.

At its meeting on Monday night, the council instead referred the developer to the Wellington Park Management Trust to revise the area's zoning.

Alderman Thomas says the mountain's pinnacle zone does not allow the cable car proposal and it does not extend to the areas the developer needs.

He says it is an issue for management trust.

"We're saying, 'go to the trust, get the revision done', and we're ready and prepared to consider any application," he said.

The Lord Mayor says the council's action is not endorsing or rejecting the project.

Mr Bold says has financial backing from overseas investors and he will now to have to check whether they are willing to go ahead with the controversial project.

"The real risk at the moment is whether or not our investors, who have been very patient to date, are willing to continue waiting and continue to carry the risk of not knowing what consent there is from council there is for this project in principle," he said.